Biomaterial Database

Relationship between human enamel structure and the formation of caries-like lesions in vitro. 1984

R P Shellis

Caries-like enamel lesions were produced in deciduous and permanent human teeth by exposure to acidified hydroxymethyl-cellulose gel, pH 4.5, for 21 days. Mean lesion depth was significantly greater in deciduous than in permanent enamel, in agreement with previous studies. The greater lesion depth in deciduous enamel was associated with greater mean prism-junction density and mean volume fraction of interprismatic enamel, as measured by planimetry of scanning electron micrographs. The greater susceptibility of deciduous enamel appears to be due to greater porosity. The order of lesion depths in vitro among permanent teeth suggests that in vivo the pattern of caries incidence among the various tooth types is governed mainly, not by intrinsic susceptibility but by other factors, such as morphology and salivary composition and flow rate. Some of the variation in caries incidence between individuals and between contralateral teeth may, however, be due to variations in intrinsic susceptibility.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D003731	Dental Caries	Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp.	Caries, Dental,Carious Lesions,Dental Cavities,Dental Cavity,Dental Decay,Dental White Spots,Carious Dentin,Decay, Dental,Dental White Spot,White Spot, Dental,White Spots, Dental,Carious Dentins,Carious Lesion,Cavities, Dental,Cavity, Dental,Dentin, Carious,Dentins, Carious,Lesion, Carious,Lesions, Carious,Spot, Dental White,Spots, Dental White
D003743	Dental Enamel	A hard thin translucent layer of calcified substance which envelops and protects the dentin of the crown of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body and is almost entirely composed of calcium salts. Under the microscope, it is composed of thin rods (enamel prisms) held together by cementing substance, and surrounded by an enamel sheath. (From Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p286)	Enamel,Enamel Cuticle,Dental Enamels,Enamel, Dental,Enamels, Dental,Cuticle, Enamel,Cuticles, Enamel,Enamel Cuticles,Enamels
D004198	Disease Susceptibility	A constitution or condition of the body which makes the tissues react in special ways to certain extrinsic stimuli and thus tends to make the individual more than usually susceptible to certain diseases.	Diathesis,Susceptibility, Disease,Diatheses,Disease Susceptibilities,Susceptibilities, Disease
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014070	Tooth	One of a set of bone-like structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing.	Teeth
D014094	Tooth, Deciduous	The teeth of the first dentition, which are shed and replaced by the permanent teeth.	Primary Tooth,Tooth, Primary,Baby Teeth,Baby Tooth,Dentition, Deciduous,Dentition, Primary,Milk Teeth,Milk Tooth,Primary Teeth,Teeth, Deciduous,Teeth, Primary,Deciduous Dentition,Deciduous Dentitions,Deciduous Teeth,Deciduous Tooth,Dentitions, Deciduous,Dentitions, Primary,Primary Dentition,Primary Dentitions,Teeth, Baby,Teeth, Milk,Tooth, Baby,Tooth, Milk
D066298	In Vitro Techniques	Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism.	In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In